The figure is much higher than previously estimated, with civilian infant deaths outnumbering armed conflict deaths by more than three to one

By Nita Bhalla

NAIROBI, Aug 30 (Thomson Reuters Foundation) - Five million children in Africa have died from preventable diseases over the last 20 years because armed conflict deprived them of access to basic healthcare or clean water, scientists said on Thursday.

A study published in The Lancet medical journal showed conflict in countries such as Nigeria and Democratic Republic of Congo had contributed to the deaths of up to 5 million children under five between 1995 and 2015.

The figure includes three million victims aged one or younger, and is much higher than previously estimated, with civilian infant deaths outnumbering armed conflict deaths by more than three to one, said scientists.

"Conflict appears to substantially increase the risk of death and stunting of young children over vast areas and for many years after conflicts have ended," said lead researcher Eran Bendavid from Stanford University in a statement.

"The impact of war generates a series of lethal but indirect impacts on communities caused by potentially preventable infectious diseases, malnutrition, and disruption of basic services such as water, sanitation, and maternal healthcare."

The study looked at almost 15,500 conflicts in 34 of Africa's 54 nations over two decades and examined data on conflict-related deaths as well as live births and child mortality rates.

It found infants born within 50 km (30 miles) of conflict had a greater risk of dying - about 8 percent - in their first year compared to those born in the same region in years without conflict.

The risk of infant death increased to around 30 percent when the violence was more intense, said researchers, adding that infant mortality rates were four times higher in conflicts lasting five years or more, said the study.

The higher risk of child death persisted up to distances of 100 km from a conflict, and for children born up to eight years after conflicts subsided.

Researchers said the data showed conflicts in Africa were having a substantial impact on child mortality.

They accounted for around 7 percent of all child deaths - almost 20 times higher than the 0.4 percent previously estimated by the 2015 Global Burden of Disease report.

Aid workers supporting hospitals and clinics in war zones said health workers and medical facilities were protected under international humanitarian law and all armed factions had a duty to abide by this.

"Children are often the most vulnerable to malnutrition and preventable diseases that become greater risks when families are displaced and living with little food and safe drinking water," said Crystal Wells, East Africa spokeswoman for the International Committee of the Red Cross.

"When the clinics they depend on for care are looted or destroyed, it means they have nowhere to go when they need treatment — with tragic consequences," she added.